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83.v1.1868

Bureau R.F.& .A.L Office 1st Div. 11th Sub Dist Va
Maryville Charlotte County Va
September 30th 1868

Bvt Brig Gen. O. Brown 
Asst Comr. of Virginia
Richmond Va

General,
In compliance with Circular No 6 Series 1866 from Head Qrs Assistant Commissioner State of Virginia, I have the honor to make the following report on the condition of Bureau affairs in this Division comprising the Counties of Prince Edward and Charlotte. The freedpeople of this division are very poorly situated and their condition very much to be regretted. While some are doing reasonably well, there is still a large majority in poverty and want, and I cannot see how they are going to get through the approaching winter without aid from some outside source. I must say that very many of the Colored people are themselves to blame for their present state of want, they do not work with a spirit of industry, and when they do get any money they spend it very foolishly. They seem to lack everything in the shape of management and economy, never looking farther ahead than the present time. They receive no helping hand from the white people, no not even one word of encouragement, but on the contrary they do all they can to keep them in a state of ignorance and want. And it seems to be a great pleasure, and a glorious